5 Question Friday

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
I would be less of a worrier. I tend to think things through to their worst case scenario...and then worry about it. Learning to give things to God is a big challenge for me.

2. Write about a time when you got lost.
I wasn't really lost - more like left behind...I was 16 in Tulsa, OK for a competition, and my entire group from my school left for the airport and left me at the restaurant where we ate breakfast. (I was in the restroom when they did the headcount). Long, long story...

3. Camping or 5 star hotel?
Considering my style of camping is an air conditioned camper, I would have to say the hotel.

4. Have you donated blood?
In college I did. I have since discovered I have a clotting disorder, and while that may not affect my ability to give, it affects my desire to.

5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?
Have a loose budget in my head, but stuff always happens.

Sticker Chart

Joshua has started his first sticker chart here at home. While many children begin their sticker charts with some chores, my son gets stickers for NOT BITING!!! He's been biting other kids at daycare, sometimes while pretending to be a puppy, and other times just because.

So - we started a sticker chart. And remind him about 28 times a day "NO BITING". We called a bunch of people and had him tell them the rule. He has 3 stickers so far. He's working for a trip to "Dawos". Any guesses what that is??

I'm told by his doctor that biting is quite normal - but it's not what I want to hear. It's tough with a playful puppy at home to differentiate.

In other news, he's doing really well - I can't even keep track of how many words he knows now. Tonight he asked to read his Bible. We pray every night - something like this (he repeats after me) Dear Jesus, help me sleep. Help me be good. I love my mama. I love my dada. I love you Jesus. Night night. Amen.

On our walk the other day, we were looking at the moon and the trees and talking about how God made them all and that God lives in heaven up where the moon is. He said he wants to go to heaven. Someday, buddy, someday!

2.5

Two and a half...halfway to 5. That's how old Joshua is. I can't believe it. Of all the amazing things that have happened in my life, he is the supreme top of them all. Today he was lining all his books up in a row and then running his train over them like they were tracks. AMAZING! He asked to watch a "moomie" (movie) about "kikis" (kitties) and doggies and choo-choos. AMAZING! (there is no such movie, by the way, we settled for a Thomas the Tank Engine movie). We went up to his room for his nap, and he raced me up the stairs trying to get away from the "butt-catchers". AMAZING! In his room, he went right to his bed and arranged his blankie and his baby just so and then laid down and said "nigh-night mama. Go way now." AMAZING!

Seriously - watching him grow up and interact with life - AMAZING!

Cousins

Welcome to Patrick Michael, Joshua's new (and first) cousin. Patrick was born to Aunt Kimberly and Uncle Michael on January 17. We got to go visit him the next day, and Joshua did a very good job holding the baby. Hopefully they will be great friends!

Happy New Year!

I'm not making resolutions...but I do have some thoughts for the new year.

I want to pray more...not just the rote, ritual prayers before meals, but genuinely spending time talking to my Father.

I want to be a better housekeeper. I'm checking out flylady.net to help me out with this...we'll see!!

I want to be a better mom. To do this, I have to be a better wife. This is hard for me. I like control.

I want to budget and prioritize our finances better.

I want to make the most of every day I have.

Thanksgiving

I have much to be thankful for this year.

1. God - my Savior and Redeemer. Where would I be without Him? Such a wretched person - full of dirt and grime. But with Him - I am redeemed by His blood and my sins are washed away. He upholds, sustains, guides, and protects. He is not surprised by anything I think or feel. He still loves me when I think or feel those things! Everything I am and have is because of His bountiful amazing grace.

2. Joshua - my amazing son. I can't begin to describe the blessing it is to be his mom. How undeserving I feel and how inadequate. He takes my breath away with his imagination and intelligence. I can't wait to see what the next years hold.

3. Chris - my husband of almost 8 years. He puts up with me in my funks. He supports me in parenting Josh. He's a hard worker even after this year of being laid off and working part time. He cares for his family and for others.

4. My family - all of them from my family of birth to my in-laws. They are all amazing wonderful people. I am blessed to be surrounded by parents and grandparents who are still married and loving and serving the Lord. I am blessed with a brother who is my friend. I am blessed with a sister-in-law who has become the sister I never had.

5. My job - teaching 4th grade. There are days - we all have them. But I truly love teaching, and I'm enjoying my class this year.

6. My friends - especially my MOPS gals.

It's the season of thankfulness. What are you thankful for?

First time for everything

Last week, I was on my way home from shopping at the mall when Chris called to let me know that Joshua decided to take a swig of his (J's) allergy medicine. Chris didn't know how much he drank. As I pulled into town past the fire station, the ambulance pulled out behind me and followed me to my house. The police were already there, and the paramedics came in the door behind me. I was focused on only one thing...JOSH!! He sat very quietly on my lap and let them check his heart and blood pressure while I spoke on the phone with poison control. We eventually determined that he didn't drink much, and they recommended watching him at home. He was fine - but it was our first emergency medical experience in almost 2.25 years! And he got a free teddy bear!